Report: Chargers sign Nick Rose to handle kickoffs vs. Patriots

The Chargers are bringing back a former player by signing kicker Nick Rose Thursday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This means Los Angeles is entering the AFC divisional round with two kickers on the active roster.

Interesting move for the week of a Divisional Playoff game: the Chargers are signing kicker Nick Rose to their active roster today to handle kickoff duties Sunday vs the New England Patriots, per source.

Rose will be handling kickoff duties in Sunday’s matchup. Before being cut by the Bolts in 2017, Rose finished with eight touchbacks in nine kickoffs. He has not been in the league since being let go by the Texans.

Michael Badgley hasn’t shown a strong leg on kickoffs, failing to record a touchback on six kickoffs in Baltimore last weekend. He has had just nine touchbacks in 54 kickoffs this season.

Patriots kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson is one of the most electric return specialists in the NFL, averaging 28.8 yards per return this season. Patterson has six kick return touchdowns in his career, including one this season, so the move to have two kickers on the active roster this weekend makes sense.